Method of and apparatus for simultaneously packaging glass strands into individual packages

ABSTRACT

The method of and apparatus for simultaneously winding glass strands into more than one package in a glass filament forming operation including means for forming the glass strands into more than one package on a driven rotatable spindle; means for reciprocating the strands axially of the packages by guide members; means for intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest of all of the packages; means for moving all of the guide members away from the packages in response to the supplied indication of the size of the largest package; and means for modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together in response to the supplied indication of the size of the largest package.

nited States Patent Shape 1 July 29, 1975 [5 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR 3.830.440 8/1974 Bense...... 242/45 x SIMULTANEOUSLY PACKAGING GLASS 3.838.827 10/1974 Klink et a1. 242/18 G STRANDS INTO INDIVIDUAL PACKAGES Primary ExaminerStanley N. Gilreath Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Carl G. Staelin; John W. Overman; Ronald C. Hudgens [57] ABSTRACT The method of and apparatus tfor simultaneously winding glass strands into more than one package in a glass filament forming operation including means for form ing the glass strands into more than one package on a driven rotatable spindle; means for reciprocating the strands axially of the packages by guide members; means for intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest of all of the packages; means for moving all of the guide members away from the packages in response to the supplied indication of the size of the largest package; and means for modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together in re sponse to the supplied indication of the size of the largest package.

14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures [LA Zita PATENTEDJULZQIHYS 3, 897, 021

SHEET 1 PATENTEDJULZQIBYS 897, 021

SHEET 2 Fig-i3 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY PACKAGING GLASS STRANDS INTO INDIVIDUAL PACKAGES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the textile industry linear filament bundles such as yarn, strand and roving are wound into packages by a winder, this practice is carried on in winding linear filament bundles in synthetic filament forming operations such as those producing glass filaments gathered into strands.

In glass filament forming operations linear strand collection speed becomes important during winding: variations in the linear strand collection speed affect the diameter of the filaments being produced. Therefore it is desirable to have a winder with controls that can provide a constant strand collection speed by reducing the rotational speed of a package as the package increases in size during package formation; filaments of uniform diameter are produced.

It is desirable to have a winder that is capable of simultaneously winding more than one package at a controlled linear collection speed for the linear filament bundles during formation of packages. But such collection is more complex that it initially appears especially in filament forming operations such as those producing glass filaments. Temperature variations in feeders supplying the molten glass streams from which filaments are withdrawn can produce filaments having uneven diameters. even at the same filament withdraw speed (linear strand collection speed). Consequently simultaneously wound packages are not always the same size during their formation.

Collection controls have been needed for apparatus constructed to simultaneously wind more than one package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is improved method of and apparatus for simultaneously collecting linear filament bundles into more than one wound package.

Another object of the invention is method of and apparatus for simultaneously winding more than one package by modifying the angular speed of all the packages together during their formation based on the size of the largest among all of the packages;

Still another object of the invention is method of and apparatus for simultaneously winding more than one package that includes a movable strand traverse guide support and means for moving the support away from all of the packages during package formation in response to the largest package among all of them.

The above and other objects and advantages will become more apparent as the invention is described hereinafter with reference made to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation of apparatus according to the principles of the invention that simultaneously collects two glass strands into individual wound packages in a glass filament forming operation;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partially in section, of the apparatus shown in FIG. I. The section is taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a back elevation, in section, of the winder shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The section is taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the strand traversing assembly carried on a movably mounted winder support housing.

FIG. 5 is a section of the strand traversing assembly and support housing taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the strand traversing apparatus of the winder shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of'drive apparatus for moving the strand traverse assembly support and controls for the winder.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a control diagram for the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The method and apparatus of the invention for simultaneously winding linear elements into more than one package are particularly useful in processes for forming filaments of heat-softened mineral material such as molten glass. But the invention is also useful in other processes that simultaneously collect linear elements into more than one wound package. Therefore the invention can be used to package other types of linear elements besides glass strand. For example, it is useful in packaging monofilaments and linear filament bundles such as yarn, cord and roving made of synthetic filaments such as nylon and polyester.

FIGS. l3 show apparatus according to the principles of the invention for simultaneously winding glass strands into more than one package in a filament forming operation. Individual continuous glass filaments are drawn from molten glass streams discharged from a heated stream feeder. The filaments are gathered into more than one untwisted bundle or strand. And a winder simultaneously collects the glass strands into individual wound packages each rotated at the same speed on a single spindle or collet.

The diameters of the filaments are subject to change during attenuation from such things as changes in the heat pattern of the stream feeder. Accordingly, the temperature variations can cause one of the strands to be larger in diameter than the other. So the sizes of the packages are not always the same during package formation.

The winder of FIGS. 1-3 includes controls that modify the rotational speed of the winder collet during formation of the packages. These controls intermittently supply an indication of the size of the largest among all of the winding packages during their formation; the controls modify the rotational speed of the collet in response to the supplied indication of the size of the largest package. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13, the winder controls modify the rotational speed of the collet so that a substantially uniform strand collection speed, based on the largest sized package, is kept throughout formation of the packages.

Also, the winder of FIGS. I-3 includes means responsive to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages of the single collet for moving individual strand traversing guides so that they are kept at the circumferential surface of the packages throughout their simultaneous formation.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, an electrically heated stream feeder or container holds a supply of molten glass. The container 10, which is normally made of a high temperature resistant electrically conductive material such as an alloy of platinum, can connect to a forehearth that applies molten glass from a furnace. It can connect to a melter effective to reduce marbles to a heat-softened condition.

Terminals 12 are at the ends of the container 10; these terminals connect to a source of electrical energy. When electrically energized, the container 10 is heated by conventional resistance heating to keep the molten glass at proper fiber forming temperatures and viscosities.

The container 10 has a bottom wall 14 that includes orifices or passageways for delivering individual streams 16 of molten glass. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the openings in the bottom wall 14 comprise rows of spaced apart depending orificed projections or tubular members 18.

Individual continuous glass filaments 20 are withdrawn from the individual molten glass streams 16. The filaments 20 are combined into two strands (strands 22 and 23) as they are turned on gathering shoes 24 and 25 located below the container 10.

Normally apparatus applies both water and another liquid, which can be sizing or other protective coating material, to the advancing filaments 20. As shown nozzles and 31 adjacent to the bottom wall 14 direct water spray onto the continuous glass filaments before the-shoes 24 and 25 combine them into the individual glass strands 22 and 23.

A sizing applicator 34 rotatably held within a housing 36 just above the gathering shoes 24 and 25 applies the liquid sizing or other coating material to the swiftly traveling continuous glass filaments 20. The applicator 34 can be any suitable type known to the art; it is shown as an endless belt moved through liquid held in the housing 36. As the continuous glass filaments 20 speed downwardly in touching relationship across the moving surface of the endless belt 34, some of the liquid on the belt transfers to them.

A winder 40 below the applicator 34 simultaneously collects the strands 22 and 23 into two generally cylindrically shaped side-by-side wound packages 42 and 43 on a single rotatably driven collet 44. The packages 42 and 43 are shown formed on individual tubes 46 and 47 respectively, each telescoped on the collet 44.

Advancement of the strands 22 and 23 downwardly to the packages 42 and 43 during rotation on the collet 44 withdraws the continuous glass filaments 20 from the molten glass streams 16.

A variable speed drive within the housing 50 of the winder 40 rotates the collet 44. And as more fully discussed hereinafter, winder speed controls modify the rotational speed of the collet 44 during simultaneous formation of the packages 42 and 43.

As shown the variable speed drive includes a motor and clutch assembly 52. This assembly includes a constant speed electric motor 54 and an associated eddycurrent clutch 56. The motor 54 directly drives a rotor within the clutch 56, which has an output shaft 58. A non-slipping belt 60 connects the output shaft 58 with a collet drive shaft 62 above the output shaft 58. The driven collet drive shaft 62 rotates the collet 44. The

shaft 62 is co-axial with the collet 44 and is rotatably held by a bearing mounting assembly 64.

Magnetic forces generated within the clutch 56 transfer rotational energy of the motor driven rotor of the clutch to the output shaft 58. Changes in flux density (magnetic forces) within the clutch 56 vary the amount of rotational energy transferred from the rotor to the ,output shaft 58 (collet 44). A greater flux density effects greater rotational energy from the rotor to the output shaft 58 (and therefore greater rotational speed for the collet 44).

The motor and eddy-current clutch assembly 52 as shown is a commercially available assembly known as a Dynamatic, manufactured by the Dynamatic Division of Eaton, Yale and Towne, Inc.

Strand traversing apparatus, including identical strand engaging guides 72 and 73, moves the advancing strands 22 and 23 respectively back and forth lengthwise of the collet 44 (packages 42 and 43). The reciprocating motion imparted to the strands distributes them on the packages.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 4-6, it can be seen that the strand traversing apparatus comprises; identical strand traversing assemblies 76and 77 including the strand engaging guides 72 and 73 at the circumferential surfaces of the packages; and a movably mounted tubular housing carrying the guide assemblies 76 and 77 for movement lengthwise of the collet 44. The tubular support housing 80 is disposed horizontally with its longitudinal axis extending in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the collet 44.

Means for reciprocating the strand guide assemblies 76 and 77 (guides 72 and 73) together includes identical cylindrical or barrel cams 82 and 83 rotatable mounted within the tubular support housing 80. The cams 82 and 83 are co-axially fixed together members having surface grooves (grooves 84 and 85 respectively).

The tubular support housing 80 slidably carries the strand guide assemblies 76 and 77. As can be more clearly seen in FIGS. 4-6, the tubular support housing 80 includes a lengthwise extending slot 86 along which each of the strand guide assemblies moves. The slot 86 opens substantially the entire length of the tubular support housing 80 on the side of the housing facing the collet 44.

Each of the strand guide assemblies is identical in construction. The strand guide assembly 76 is shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 to include a slide block 90, a cam follower 92, an elongated flat spring 94 and the strand guide 72,

The slide block includes groove 96 that accommodate the lengthwise edge portions 98 of the slot 86. The edge portions 98 defining the slot 86 are guide ways that fit into the grooves 96 in slide fit relationship.

The cam follower 92 connects the slide block 90 with cam grooves 84 of the barrel cam 82, The follower 92 includes an arcuate portion that fits into the cam grooves 84 and a tenon 99 that pivotally fits into the slide block 90. During operation the pivotal connection of the follower 92 with the slide block 90 allows swivel or pivotal movement of the follower at the turn around regions of the cam grooves 84.

The slide block 90 carries the spring 94, which is disposed downwardly from the block 90. Mountings 100, which are at the lower edge of the spring 94, carry a mounting pin 102 that pivotally holds the strand guide 72 on the spring 94.

Each of the strand engaging guides 72 and 73 has a flat guide surface with a recess or slot that engages it downwardly speeding strand. In FIG. 4 the slot in the flat guide surface of the guide 72 is denoted by the reference numeral 104; the slot in the guide 73, by the reference numeral 105.

In operation each of the strand guides 72 and 73 is reciprocated axially of its package with its guide sur faces lightly pressed (by its spring) against the circumferential surface of its package.

Rotation of the barrel cams 82 and 83 reciprocates strand guide assemblies along the slot 86. And the speed of reciprocation of the guides 72 and 73 is directly proportional to the rotational speed of the barrel cams.

Rotational energy from the collet drive shaft 62 rotates the barrel cams through non-slipping belts 106 and 108. The belt 106 connects the collet drive shaft 62 and a rotatably mounted idler shaft 110 of an idler assembly 112. The belt 108 connects the idler shaft 110 with a cam drive shaft 114 that drives the cams 82 and 83 together in rotation. The drive shaft 144 is rotatably held by a bearing support assembly 116 and the vertical end plate 118 of a movable carriage 120.

As more clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carriage 120 is movable horizontally within the winder 40. And the cam support housing is carried for horizontal movement by the carriage 120.

The idler assembly 112 permits movement of the carriage 120 without parting the drive belts 106 and 108. As shown the idler 112 includes the rotatable shaft 110, bearing box 122. position arm 124, support member 126, and support bracket 128.

The support member 126 and the bracket 128 hold the bearing box 122 and shaft above the carriage 120. The bearing box 122 is movable about the axis of the support member 126 by swing legs 129 and 130.

The position arm 124 connects the shaft 110 and cam drive shaft 114 to keep the shafts at a constant spaced distance from the belt 108. The arm 124 pushes (swings) the shaft 110 and its gear box upwardly around the axis of shaft support member 126 as the carriage is moved towards the collet 44; the reverse is true as the carriage 120 is moved away from the (:01- let 44.

The swinging movement of the assembly 112 keeps both the belt 106 and belt 108 in driving relationship on their respective sheaves.

As shown the carriage 120 includes a base in addition to the vertical end plate 118. The carriage 120 is slidably carried by two horizontally spaced apart parallel support rods 142 and 144 that are stationary within the winder 40. These rods extend through passageways in the base 140; the passageways (and rods) extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the collet 44. So the carriage 120 and cam housing 80 are movable in a horizontal plane towards and away from the collet 44 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the collet 44. The winder frame 50 includes an elongated opening 146 that permits the horizontal movement of the support housing 80.

The winder 40 includes a drive to move the carriage 120 (and hence the tubular support 80) during formation of the packages to keep the strand guides 72 and 73 at the circumferential surfaces of the packages 42 and 43 respectively. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, it can be seen the drive includes a motor 150 that rotates a drive screw 152 in a threaded passageway 154 of the carriage base 140. The motor 150 is in a control box 156. The motor 150 has an output shaft 158 with a sheave 160; the drive screw 152 has a sheave 162 on its unthreaded end portion 164 projecting from the base 140. And a drive belt 166 rides in the sheaves 160 and 162 to put the motor 151) in driving relation with the screw 152.

The motor 150 rotates the screw 152 when energized to move the carriage 120.

In practice the motor 150 is normally a slow speed motor such as a SLO-SYN made by the Superior Electric Company.

Winder controls energize the motor 150 to move the carriage 120 during formation of the package to keep strand guides 72 and 73 at the circumferential surfaces of the packages 42 and 43. To do this the sizes of the packages on the collet 44 are sensed. And intermittently there is supplied an indication of the size of the largest (at that'time) among all of the packages being formed. In response to the intermittently supplied indi cation of the size of the largest package the tubular sup port housing 80 is moved (by the energized motor 150 and drive) away from the collet 44. This movement keeps the strand guides 72 and 73 at the circumferential surfaces of the packages.

The means for sensing the size of the packages includes a switch and a switch activating device for each of the packages. Each of the switches is in a circuit that controls the supply of electrical energy to the drive motor 54 of the assembly 52.

Each of the sensing arrangements is identical and includes normally open magnetically actuated reed switches 170 and 171; these switches are indicated in the control diagram of FIG. 9.

The sensing arrangement for package 42 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and includes opposed pairs of natural magnets 172 and 174 that are used to actuate the contracts of the reed switch 170. The magnets are disposed with opposing ends having the same polarity. The magnet 174 is fixed on an elongated support member 176 carried by the tubular support housing 80; the magnet 172 moves with the strand guide assembly 76.

The switch 170 and the magnet 174 are held at a fixed location in a plastic housing 178 on the support member 176, which is made of non-magnetic material. A support member 176 made of a resin-textile laminate commercially known as Micarta has given good results.

A plastic housing 179 for the reed switch 171 and fixed magnet is shown in FIG. 4.

The tubular housing 80 carries the support 176 with its longitudinal dimension disposed horizontally. Major surfaces of the support 176 are in a plane extending in a direction parallel to the major surfaces of the flat springs of the strand traversing assemblies 76 and 77. The plastic housings (housings 178 and 1179) holding the reed switches are secured on the major surface of the support member 176 facing away from the flat springs.

The magnet and reed switch containing housings 178 and 179 are at preferred locations at the mid-length of the reciprocation stroke for their strand guides (guides 72 and 73).

The magnet 172 is on the spring 94. So reciprocation of the guide 72 also reciproca'tes the magnet 172. The

magnet 172 is shown facing the support member 176.

FIG. 9 is a control circuit including controls for the motor 150. As can be seen the reed switches 170 and 171, which receive electrical energy through a stepdown transformer 180, are in parallel electrical relationship. Closing either switch 170 or 171 energizes a relay CR2. And the energized relay CR2 closes contacts CR2-l to energize timer T. This timer closes contacts T-l to keep itself energized; it also closes contacts T-2 to energize the motor 150. The carriage 120 (support housing 80) is accordingly moved.

So when the largest of the packages on the collet 44 grows to the extent it closes one of the reed switches. the carriage 120 is moved.

It is possible to control the amount of displacement of the guides 72 and 73 required to actually close switches 170 and 171. Such displacement is indicated for the guide 72 by the space denoted d in FIG. 5. The locations of the magnets can also be changed to actuate the reed switches from different locations. Then too it is possible to use magnets having different magnetic strengths to control operation of the reed switches.

Further. it is possible to use other types of switches. For example, one might use a light sensitive switching arrangement capable of being actuated by selected light intensity together with a light source responsive to the size of the packages. Then too, one might use a high frequency energy beam or pneumatic arrangement to actuate a switch in close proximity thereto in response to an enlargement of the packages. Also, it is possible to use other types of magentic members, e.g., electromagnetic devices, to intermittently actuate switches like the reed 170 and 171.

The winder 40 includes controls effective in response to the sensed size of the largest of the package at any time to modify the rotational speed of the collet 44 for maintaining a substantially uniform rate of strand collection during formation of the packages. Referring to FIGS. 7 8 and 9, it can be seen that the controls include a potentiometer 182 that is in a circuit supplying electrical energy to the eddy-current clutch 56. Changes in the electrical output of the potentiometer 182 effect changes in the magnetic flux density generated within the clutch 56. So changes in the output of the potentiometer 182 effect changes in the rotational speed of the collet 44.

The potentiometer 182 is mounted below the motor 150 in the control box 156. The potentiometer has a sheave 184 on a slider control shaft 186. The electrically energized motor 150 rotates the drive screw 152, which effects movement of the slider within the potentiometer 182. The belt 166 driving in sheaves 160 and 162 connects the motor output shaft 158 to the drive screw 152; a belt 188 driving the sheave 184 and a sheave 190 on the drive screw 152 connects the drive screw 152 with the slider control shaft 186. So rotational movement of the drive screw 152 controls the Operation of the winder 40 can be more fully under stood by referring to the control diagram shown in FIG. 9. Commercial electrical energy is applied to the control circuit at L, L

With the support housing at its initial package build location a limit switch (Start) 192 (FIG. 9) is closed.

The operator can begin the winder 40 by closing a main start switch 194. With the start switch 194 closed electrical energy is supplied to the motor 54 of the assembly 52; also energized is control relay CR1. The energized relay CR1 closes: contacts CRl-l to keep itself energized and contacts C R1-2 to energize an amplifier and controller 196 that supplies electrical energy to the eddy-current clutch 56.

As the packages 42 and 43 increase in diameter, the largest of the packages closes the contacts of one of the reed switches or 171. The control relay CR2 is energized to close contact CR2-1; the timer T becomes electrically energized. The timer T closes contacts T-l to keep itself energized and closes contacts T-2 to energize the motor 150. The drive screw 152 is rotated. When the timer T times out after the last closure of the effective reed switch during an intermittent change in the location of the support member 80, contacts T-1, T-2 open.

The rotation speed of the collet is modified throughout formation of the packages 42 and 43 as the movement of the screw 152 effects changes in the output of the potentiometer 182. As shown in FIG. 9 the potentiometer 182 is in a circuit having a suitable positive DC voltage source with respect to ground such as a battery 198. The voltage output of the potentiometer 182 is supplied as a signal to a summing junction .1. As the control shaft 186 of the potentiometer is moved by the screw 152, the output of the potentiometer is reduced as the slider moves in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 9.

A trim potentiometer 200 is also in the circuit with the potentiometer 182; the voltage from the trim potentiometer 200 is set for a specific collet diameter and is left unchanged.

The summing junction .1 also receives a feedback voltage signal from the clutch 56. A tachometer generator 202, which is connected to the rotational output of the clutch 56, provides a DC voltage signal indicating the rotational speed of the clutch 56. This DC signal is provided to the junction .1 through a voltage divider 204 as a negative DC voltage signal with respect to ground.

When the voltage signals to the junction J are equal and opposite with respect to ground there is not voltage signal from the junction J, and the electrical signal supplied to the clutch 56 from the amplifier and controller 196 remains constant. So the rotation output speed of the clutch 56 remains constant because the magnetic flux in the clutch 56 is not changed.

A reduction in the positive voltage from the potentiometer 182 (by rotational movement of the drive screw 152) supplies a negative control voltage signal from the junction .1 to the controller 196. The controller 196 effects the reduction in the output speed of the clutch 56 until the voltage signal supplied to the junction J from the tachometer 202 is equal and opposite with respect to ground from the DC voltage from the potentiometer 182.

The voltage from the potentiometer 182 is repeatedly changed throughout package build in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest of the packages at any time on the collet 44 during package build.

At the end of package build a limit switch (Stop) 208 is opened to de-energize the relay CRll. The collet 44 is no longer driven.

The operator removes the completed packages 42 and 43. He telescopes new tubes onto the collet 44. The support member 80 is again positioned for starting new package build.

I claim:

l. The method of simultaneously winding linear elements into more than one package comprising:

supplying at least two linear elements;

forming the advancing linear elements into more than one wound package each rotated at the same angular speed;

intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation; and

modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together during their formation in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package. I

2. The method of simultaneously winding multifilament linear elements into more than one package comprising:

supplying at least two multifilament linear elements;

forming the advancing multifilament linear elements into more than one wound package each rotated at the same angular speed;

intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation; and

modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together during their formation in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package.

3. The method of simultaneously winding multifilament linear elements into more than one package comprising:

supplying at least two multifilament linear elements;

forming each of the advancing multifilament linear elements into a wound package each rotated at the same angular speed;

intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation; and

modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together during their formation in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package.

4. The method of simultaneously winding glass strands into more than one package in a filament forming operation comprising:

supplying molten glass streams;

withdrawing glass filaments from the molten streams;

gathering the filaments into glass strands;

forming the advancing glass strands into more than one wound package each rotated at the same angular speed;

intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation; and

modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together during their formation in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package.

5. The method of simultaneously winding glass strands into individual packages in a filament forming operation comprising:

supplying molten glass streams;

withdrawing glass filaments from the molten streams;

gathering the advancing filaments into glass strands;

forming the advancing glass strands into individual wound packages disposed in end-to-end relationship on a single rotating spindle;

intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation on the spindle; and

modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package to control the linear collection speed of the strands during simultaneous formation of the packages.

6. The method of simultaneously winding glass strands into individual packages in a filament forming operation comprising:

supplying molten glass streams;

withdrawing glass filaments from the molten streams;

gathering the advancing filaments into glass strands;

forming the advancing glass strands into individual wound packages disposed in end-to-end relationship on a single rotating spindle; reciprocating the strands lengthwise of the spindle by guide members each engaging a strand;

intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation on the spindle;

moving all of the guide members together away from the packages in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package; and

modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package to control the linear collection speed of the strands during simultaneous formation of the packages.

7. The method of simultaneously winding glass strands into individual packages in a filament forming operation comprising:

supplying molten glass streams;

withdrawing glass filaments from the molten streams;

gathering the advancing filaments into glass strands;

forming the advancing glass strands into individual wound packages disposed in end-to-end relationship on a single rotating spindle; reciprocating the strands lengthwise of the spindle by guide members each engaging a strand;

intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation on the spindle; and

moving all of the guide members together away from the packages in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package.

8. Apparatus for simultaneously winding linear elements into more than one package comprising:

means for supplying at least two linear elements;

means for forming the advancing linear elements into more than one wound package each rotated at the same angular speed;

means for intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation; and

means for modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together during their formation in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package to control the linear collection speed of the linear elements during simultaneous formation of the packages.

9. Apparatus for simultaneously packaging linear elements comprising:

a rotatable spindle upon which the linear elements are wound as individual packages;

means for rotating the spindle;

means for intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation; and

control means effective in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest of the packages to modify the rotational speed of the spindle to control the rate of collection of the linear elements during formation of the packages.

10. Apparatus for simultaneously winding multifilament linear elements into individual packages comprising:

a rotatable spindle upon which multifilament linear elements are wound into individual packages in adjacent relationship along the length of the spindle;

means for rotating the spindle;

a traversing assembly for each of the packages, each of the assemblies including a guide member for each of the linear elements at the circumferential surface of its associated package during formation of the packages:

a movable support carrying the traverse assemblies for movement lengthwise of the spindle;

means for reciprocating the traverse assemblies together to distribute the multifilament linear elements on their packages during their formationi means for moving the support to keep the traverse guide members at the circumferential surfaces of the packages during their formation, such support moving means including an electric motor, an elec- 'trical circuit for supplying electric current to the motor, a switch in the circuit for each of the packages for controlling the operation of the electric motor, the switches being arranged in electrically parallel relationship; and

means effective in response to the closing of any of the switches by the largest package among all of them for modifying the rotational speed of the collector to control linear strand collection speed during formation of the packages.

11. Apparatus for producing glass strands and simultaneously winding them into individual packages comprising:

means for supplying streams of molten glass for attenuation into continuous glass filaments;

means for gathering the glass filaments into individual strands;

a rotatable spindle upon which the strands are wound into individual packages;

means for rotating the spindle;

a strand traversing assembly for each of the packages, each of the assemblies including a strand guide member and means holding the strand guide member in resilient contact with the circumferential surface of its associated package during package formation;

a movable support carrying the strand traverse assemblies for movement lengthwise of the spindle;

means for reciprocating the strand traverse assemblies together to distribute the strands on their packages during their formation;

means for moving the support to keep the traverse strand guide members at the circumferential surfaces of the packages during their formation, such support moving means including an electric motor, an electrical circuit for supplying electric current to the motor, a switch in the circuit for each of the packages for controlling the operation of the electric motor, the switches being arranged in electrically parallel relationship; and

means effective is response to the closing of any of the switches by the largest package among all of them for modifying the rotational speed of the collector to control linear strand collection speed during formation of the packages.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 in which all of the strand traversing assemblies are identical.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further including individual means for each of the switches effective to actuate its associated switch in close proximity thereto.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 in which each of the actuating means includes a pair of permanent magnets, one of each pair of the magnets being carried by a traversing assembly. 

1. The method of simultaneously winding linear elements into more than one package comprising: supplying at least two linear elements; forming the advancing linear elements into more than one wound package each rotated at the same angular speed; intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation; and modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together during their formation in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package.
 2. The method of simultaneously winding multifilament linear elements into more than one package comprising: supplying at least two multifilament linear elements; forming the advancing multifilament linear elements into more than one wound package each rotated at the same angular speed; intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation; and modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together during their formation in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package.
 3. The method of simultaneously winding multifilament linear elements into more than one package comprising: supplying at least two multifilament linear elements; forming each of the advancing multifilament linear elements into a wound package each rotated at the same angular speed; intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation; and modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together during their formation in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package.
 4. The method of simultaneously winding glass strands into more than one package in a filament forming operation comprising: supplying molten glass streams; withdrawing glass filaments from the molten streams; gathering the filaments into glass strands; forming the advancing glass strands into more than one wound package each rotated at the same angular speed; intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation; and modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together during their formation in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package.
 5. The method of simultaneously winding glass strands into individual packages in a filament forming operation comprising: supplying molten glass streams; withdrawing glass filaments from the molten streams; gathering the advancing filaments into glass strands; forming the advancing glass strands into individual wound packages disposed in end-to-end relationship on a single rotating spindle; intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation on the spindle; and modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package to control the linear collection speed of the strands during simultaneous formation of the packages.
 6. The method of simultaneously winding glass strands into individual packages in a filament forming operation comprising: supplying molten glass streams; withdrawing glass filaments from the molten streams; gathering the advancing filaments into glass strands; forming the advancing glass strands into individual wound packages disposed in end-to-end relationship on a single rotating spindle; reciprocating The strands lengthwise of the spindle by guide members each engaging a strand; intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation on the spindle; moving all of the guide members together away from the packages in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package; and modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package to control the linear collection speed of the strands during simultaneous formation of the packages.
 7. The method of simultaneously winding glass strands into individual packages in a filament forming operation comprising: supplying molten glass streams; withdrawing glass filaments from the molten streams; gathering the advancing filaments into glass strands; forming the advancing glass strands into individual wound packages disposed in end-to-end relationship on a single rotating spindle; reciprocating the strands lengthwise of the spindle by guide members each engaging a strand; intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation on the spindle; and moving all of the guide members together away from the packages in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package.
 8. Apparatus for simultaneously winding linear elements into more than one package comprising: means for supplying at least two linear elements; means for forming the advancing linear elements into more than one wound package each rotated at the same angular speed; means for intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation; and means for modifying the angular speed of all of the packages together during their formation in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest package to control the linear collection speed of the linear elements during simultaneous formation of the packages.
 9. Apparatus for simultaneously packaging linear elements comprising: a rotatable spindle upon which the linear elements are wound as individual packages; means for rotating the spindle; means for intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the largest among all of the packages during their formation; and control means effective in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the largest of the packages to modify the rotational speed of the spindle to control the rate of collection of the linear elements during formation of the packages.
 10. Apparatus for simultaneously winding multifilament linear elements into individual packages comprising: a rotatable spindle upon which multifilament linear elements are wound into individual packages in adjacent relationship along the length of the spindle; means for rotating the spindle; a traversing assembly for each of the packages, each of the assemblies including a guide member for each of the linear elements at the circumferential surface of its associated package during formation of the packages: a movable support carrying the traverse assemblies for movement lengthwise of the spindle; means for reciprocating the traverse assemblies together to distribute the multifilament linear elements on their packages during their formation; means for moving the support to keep the traverse guide members at the circumferential surfaces of the packages during their formation, such support moving means including an electric motor, an electrical circuit for supplying electric current to the motor, a switch in the circuit for each of the packages for controlling the operation of the electric motor, the switches being arranged in electrically parallel relationship; and means effective in response to the closing of any of the switches by the Largest package among all of them for modifying the rotational speed of the collector to control linear strand collection speed during formation of the packages.
 11. Apparatus for producing glass strands and simultaneously winding them into individual packages comprising: means for supplying streams of molten glass for attenuation into continuous glass filaments; means for gathering the glass filaments into individual strands; a rotatable spindle upon which the strands are wound into individual packages; means for rotating the spindle; a strand traversing assembly for each of the packages, each of the assemblies including a strand guide member and means holding the strand guide member in resilient contact with the circumferential surface of its associated package during package formation; a movable support carrying the strand traverse assemblies for movement lengthwise of the spindle; means for reciprocating the strand traverse assemblies together to distribute the strands on their packages during their formation; means for moving the support to keep the traverse strand guide members at the circumferential surfaces of the packages during their formation, such support moving means including an electric motor, an electrical circuit for supplying electric current to the motor, a switch in the circuit for each of the packages for controlling the operation of the electric motor, the switches being arranged in electrically parallel relationship; and means effective is response to the closing of any of the switches by the largest package among all of them for modifying the rotational speed of the collector to control linear strand collection speed during formation of the packages.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 in which all of the strand traversing assemblies are identical.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 further including individual means for each of the switches effective to actuate its associated switch in close proximity thereto.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 in which each of the actuating means includes a pair of permanent magnets, one of each pair of the magnets being carried by a traversing assembly. 